FAQs

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is a Memorial Day weekend tradition. This year’s festival kicks off with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on Thursday, May 24 at 7pm at the Florida Theatre. Additional festival hours are as follows:

The rumors are true. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is FREE to attend! That being said, you can get even more jazz by attending the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on Thursday, May 24th. Tickets for the competition are available here for $10. Upgrade your festival experience with one of the new and improved VIP packages. VIP package details available here.

The festival returns to the downtown core this year comprising 15 city blocks in downtown Jacksonville full of live entertainment, great food and unique shopping experiences. Plug 117 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 into your GPS or online map for direction assistance.

Coolers take up a lot of room and are strictly prohibited at the festival. There are tons of great places to eat downtown and many beverage booths where you can get a cold beer, bottle of wine or Coca-Cola products. If you really want to be pampered check out the VIP Packages!

Where can’t you?! The festival consists of three main stages scattered throughout the walkable festival footprint. Post up at the Swingin’ Stage, presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, located on the front lawn of the Duval County Courthouse at Pearl and Adams streets, a building recognized for its stately presence and architecture. The Groovin’ Stage, presented by Jacksonville Acura Dealers, returns to Hemming Park, and the Breezin’ Stage is now located at the corner of Adams and Main streets. Be sure to get tickets to the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition where the best amateur jazz pianists go head­to­head to compete for the prize.

We applaud your foresight and thoughtful planning. Street closures begin Tuesday, May 22 through Sunday May 27. Check back closer to the festival for details and in the meantime you can see the festival map here.

You heard right but no, you can not bring your own booze. Alcoholic beverages and Coca-cola products will be available for purchase at the festival from official vendors. Please keep in mind it is against the law to remove alcoholic beverages from establishments (this means you can’t take your alcohol out of the local bar.)

Coolers take up a lot of room and are strictly prohibited at the festival. There are tons of great places to eat downtown and many beverage booths where you can get a cold beer, bottle of wine or Coca-Cola products.Full List of Prohibited Items:

Yes, there will be food trucks and other food vendors as well. Plus, downtown has some of the best dining options in the city offering specials during the festival! Please do not bring outside food into the festival area and absolutely no glass containers. Sales of unauthorized food or beverage is not permitted. All vendors must be licensed, approved and sanctioned by the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events.

Downtown Jacksonville has more than 43,000 public parking spaces, which include garage parking, metered street parking and peripheral parking. While you may not always be able park directly in front of your destination, you should almost always be able to find parking within a short walk. Click here to view a parking database provided by Downtown Vision, Inc.

Groovin’ & Breezin’ Garage

Jacksonville knows how to party rain or shine. That being said, in the event of extreme inclement weather as determined by the festival’s Emergency Operations Command, there is a chance certain performances may be cancelled or rescheduled as the safety of all attendees is our number one priority.

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is for everyone so all festival venues and stages are ADA compliant. For any questions about ADA accessibility and accomidations please email events@coj.net, call (904).630.3690, or call (904) 630.CITY (2489).

Applications and performer submissions for the 2018 festival are now closed but if you are a musician or represent a musician interested in performing in the future, please contact the Office of Special Events at (904) 630­-3690 or email events@coj.net after September 1, 2018.

Beginning Tuesday, May 22 – Sunday, May 27*All street parking will be suspended on all event roads beginning 5/24/2018 and will resume beginning 5/28/2018*Information regarding street closures and other information subject to change.

Tuesday, May 22 – Morning

Duval Street from Laura Street to Hogan Street (9 a.m.)

Pearl Street from Monroe to Adams (6 a.m.)

Thursday, May 24 – Morning (approx. 9 a.m.)

Adams Street from Main Street to Broad Street

Laura Street from Forsyth Street to Church Street

Monroe Street from Pearl Street to Ocean Street

Hogan Street from Forsyth Street to Church Street

Duval Street from Hogan Street to Julia Street

Thursday, May 24 – Afternoon/Evening (approx. 2 p.m.)

Main Street from Church Street to Adams Street

Pearl Street from Duval Street to Forsyth Street

Friday, May 25 – Morning (approx. 10 a.m.)

*Every effort will be made to keep the following roads open until work traffic has entered downtown

Food vendors are selected for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival through an application process three months prior to the event. If you would like to be notified of food vending opportunities for the 2019 Jacksonville Jazz Festival and other City of Jacksonville events, click here.